Officials react to NYRA reprivatization

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.>> The New York Racing Association will return to private hands after the state passed its budget last Friday night.

“It’s definitely a win for Saratoga,” said president of the Sarat oga Count y Chamber of Commerce Todd Shimkus. “This is something our Concerned Citizens for Saratoga Racing has been pushing hard for over two years.”

NYRA will be organized in a not-for-profit corporation, which Shimkus considers to be the real key.

“The biggest difference between a not-for-profit and forprofit corporation is that the not-for- profit corporation has stakeholders who serve in a governance role in the board of directors-- hopefully folks from Saratoga that have the most to gain by making sure NYRA’s accessible,” said Shimkus.

Shimkus thanked Senator Kathy Marchione and Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner for their involvement in the outcome.

“They are the best advocates for Saratoga and horse racing that we have in New York State and it really shows in what they were able to accomplish in the

budget,” said Shimkus.

Marchione called reprivatizing the New York Racing Association as a non-profit as one of her top priorities for the 2017-2018 budget.

“[It’s] something I have championed for years and it’s fantastic that it finally crossed the finish line,” said Marchione. “This issue is vital to Saratoga County, jobs, our economy and horseracing’s future in New York State.”

In the reform there’s a 17-member board with two members directly appointed by the Senate, and

the breeders and horsemen each get a voting member. Eight will be picked by the current board’s executive committee.

Marchione said there’s specific language for geographic representation for three members who possess regional and market knowledge to ensure that Saratoga has representation on the new NYRA board.

“[ There’s] requirement of a unanimous vote of the Franchise Oversight Board to ensure that NYRA is not arbitrarily penalized and can continue building on its successes,” said Marchione.

Shimkus called the formation of the board important.

“The majority of the

folks on the board will be selected by the private sectors as opposed to government,” Shimkus said. “Government control was what we were seeking to end partly because, no offense to our government, but it’s not known for being innovative and flexible. A notfor-profit corporation with the right stakeholders have a real chance to be flexible, to be innovative, to make sure that Saratoga race meets are the absolute best in the world; That our facilities in Saratoga are mod-

ernized and improved in a way that’s a benefit for the fans that want to come and spend time and money there.”

Marchione said re-privatization is all about jobs, the economy, family farms and local quality of life.

“Taking the government reins off NYRA will ensure horse racing’s strong, successful future in Saratoga County and statewide,” said Marchione. “These are terrific outcomes and I could not be prouder to have been part of this important ef-

fort.”

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association President Rick Violette Jr. said in a statement that re-privatization will allow NYRA to move forward and optimize what is an invaluable asset to New York State.

“The flexibility provided to the Jockey Injury Compensation Fund will open the door to lower costs, making New York a more attractive place to do business and creating an atmosphere of growth for the

thousands of Thoroughbred owners and trainers and the tens of thousands of workers they employ,” said Violette Jr. “As the state’s second largest agribusiness, horses are responsible for $ 4.2 billion in economic impact, 1.3 million acres of green space and 33,000 full-time jobs. We thank the Governor and our representatives for the confidence and commitment they have shown in embracing initiatives so important to our industry.”